November 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 From a young age, Cameron Battle was fascinated with the stories told to him from the Book of Chidani, a book passed down by his ancestors. It tells tales of the mythical country of Chidani and the Igbo people, who have hidden themselves from the world as a way of protection. When sneaking around one night to take a glance at the book, Cameron and his friends are transported to the Kingdom of Chidani. They learn that Chidani is in turmoil because Queen Ramala's sister, Amina, is seeking to take over the kingdom and break the barrier hiding Chidani from the rest of the world. The secrets of Cameron's family history and his role in Chidani are revealed to him when he is told that the only person who can stop Amina is the Descendant. Perry has written an action-packed fantasy with Igbo and other African mythology, and his world building creates an immersive experience. This title is a must-read for fans of Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (2019).
COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
December 1, 2021
A young Black boy and his two best friends discover a new world in his family's ancestral book. Cameron Battle is a 12-year-old boy of Igbo descent living in Atlanta who starts noticing strange happenings around his house but second-guesses himself, instead blaming his active imagination. At the start of summer vacation, Cameron has a sleepover with his two best friends, Zion and Aliyah. Despite being strictly prohibited from entering the attic and reading The Book of Chidani, a record of ancestral history passed down through the generations of Cameron's family, all three kids disobey and find themselves literally pulled into the book--and with it, the country of Chidani. There, Cameron finds out that the odd things he's noticed were indeed real and that, as the only living Descendant of the people of Chidani, he has been tasked with saving the country from a power grab by the queen's sister. Perry presents a fantasy full of adventure, loss, bravery, and perseverance. Themes of love, intergenerational hardship, and sacrifice are woven throughout the story. Its potential, however, is largely unfulfilled thanks to the cast members' constant vacillation in thought and action. Some characters feel one-dimensional, making it difficult for readers to become fully invested in the novel. The cast of characters is made up of Black people of various ethnicities. A promising West African-inspired tale about courage and legacy let down by inconsistent characterization. (Fantasy. 8-12)
COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
February 7, 2022
Ever since he lost his parents two years ago, Igbo-descended 12-year-old Cameron Battle has been forbidden from entering the attic of the Atlanta home he shares with his grandmother and reading the Book of Chidani. The book is a family heirloom filled with stories about a hidden realm in Nigeria that was created centuries back to protect the Igbo people in the height of chattel slavery. But during a sleepover, Cameron and his best friends, tech-savvy Aliyah and smart, protective Zion, sneak into the attic to read the Book, accidentally opening a portal to Chidani itself. There, they discover that Cameron’s parents died defending the land, leaving him as the realm’s only Descendant. To save Chidani from the queen’s sister, who seeks to shatter the barrier that keeps enslavers outside it, Cameron must bond with the Book and, with his friends, retrieve a trio of stolen magical artifacts while facing monsters, gods, and their own fears. Rooted in Igbo mythology and starring Black protagonists of various ethnic backgrounds, Perry’s tale offers up a fast-paced, intense story of legacy and loss as Cameron worries about whether he’s fit for the task at hand, even as he draws on the support of his companions and memories of his family legacy. Ages 8–12. Agent: Caitie Flum, Liza Dawson Assoc.
Starred review from April 29, 2022
Gr 3-7-Percy Jackson fans, rejoice! Imagine a magical book whose pages come to life to show memories of events from the land of one's ancestors. Cameron grew up reading The Book of Chidani, and now finds himself transported through its pages to the fabled kingdom of Nigeria, home of the Igbo people. It's full of wondrous creatures, such as humanlike fish, the mondao, who wear gold chains and sunbathe, and deeply loyal gryphons. But it is also home to the mmo, spirits of the dead who are trapped in limbo due to the traumatic nature of their deaths. The ancestral homeland holds powerful lessons about survival as well as plenty of questions about the harm that was inflicted on its people. Cameron is a true Descendant, trained in the art of Dambe, tasked with recovering Queen Ramala's ring, crown, and scepter, lost to a bargain with the gods to protect the Igbo people from enslavers. But Cameron soon realizes that the fated role of Descendant may come at great cost. Teachers might want to use a character map to help students develop a clear understanding of who's who in this epic mythological adventure. Perry has a gift for creating dialogue and writing fast-paced, suspenseful scenes that will both enchant readers and leave them wincing in empathy. Cliff-hanger endings abound that will have students begging for more. Devoted readers of this genre will want to dive into this adventure and savor it alone, but it is also perfect for a class read-aloud. VERDICT An action-packed page-turner rooted in West African mythology that middle graders will love.-Darby Wallace
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.